It was all the way back on 2nd March 2008 when a young India U-19 squad went on to lift the junior ICC World Cup for the second time ever, and since then, ‘Kohli’ went on to become a household name. Firstly, because of captain Virat Kohli who led them to that spectacular victory against a South Africa U-19 team led by Wayne Parnell who looked fresh out of school at the time.
Secondly, because of opener Taruwar Kohli 🇮🇳 who finished with 218 runs in 6 games that tournament, just behind Virat’s 235. In fact, most of Virat’s tally came from one century while Taruwar was ever consistent in that tournament in Malaysia, crossing the 50-run mark on three different occasions! Both bright sparks, one who went on to captain the Indian national side, and one who never managed to kick-start his senior career.
That U-19 team boasted of big names like Manish Pandey, Ravindra Jadeja, Siddarth Kaul, Saurabh Tiwary and others, who are playing or have played for India at some point of time. As for Taruwar, he hasn’t given up hope and now, so many years since first rising to fame, he’s constantly knocking on the doors of the Indian selectors, recently ending what was the most spectacular domestic season of his career.
It’s not an easy task to score a Ranji Trophy triple century and Taruwar has managed it not just once, but twice, the second one coming against Arunachal Pradesh a few months back, scoring a career-best 307*. 12 years after that World Cup win, the younger Kohli is right up there once again, ending as the second highest run scorer in the 2019/20 Ranji Trophy, racking up 998 runs and 13 wickets 🏏 to go with it!
Prior to that, the batting all-rounder also had a decent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, hitting 325 runs in 7 games. Playing for Mizoram now, the batsman is in the form of his life and I won’t be too surprised if he goes on to don the Indian jersey in the near future too. Read Scoops caught up with the player for an in-depth interview regarding his career so far, his recent form and much more, which you can read all about below…
Taruwar Kohli social profiles🌐:
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Taruwar Kohli…
Hi Taruwar, you seem to have hit a purple patch recently. What do you credit this new-found consistency to?
“I don’t think it’s me who’s batting out there on the pitch. In the last 5-6 years, I’ve become a really firm believer of God and I believe he’s the one who’s carrying me through the cricket field and when I’m batting. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I’ve been consistent of late. I don’t let the success get to my head. I think a lot of it as God’s doing and give everything to Him.”
“My trainer this year, Suhas Pawar from Baroda helped me become really disciplined, especially with my diet. I had gained some weight on return from the Dutch season last year. This year, he helped me change my food routine and habits. For a month, I was on a strict diet and realized I have the willpower to give up all kinds of food, even though I’m a huge foodie. I turned vegan early November 2019 before the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. It helped me become quicker in the field and I took rapid singles and doubles. It felt really good and I believe Suhas Sir helped me become mentally tougher and more disciplined.”
“Coach PV Shashikanth has also helped me loads. I didn’t have a great Vijay Hazare Trophy this year after finishing in the top 5 last year. He kept me in a very positive mindset even after a poor season. Sometimes, coaches get frustrated when a senior player isn’t doing well, but he was very calm and had belief in me. He’s been the backbone of the entire Mizoram team. Obviously, the Cricket Association of Mizoram needs to be thanked too. They didn’t say much when I wasn’t scoring runs. They thought the captaincy was a burden so they took it away and let me focus completely on my batting, which also helped. Secretary Mamon Majumder was calm too, trusting that I’d deliver soon.”
“I also made a few technical changes with PV Sir. I tapped a lot before the bowl was delivered, making my head move more than needed. I’ve been more balanced and stable with my head positioning now. The change helped me see the ball more, leaving me with much more time to play shots, especially in the Ranji Trophy where I was in a different zone because of this changed habit.”
With such a fantastic Ranji season behind you, what are your chances at making your Team India debut?
“I honestly believe that I’m doing really well. Last year, I was in the top 10 and finished this year in second. The coming seasons are very important for getting closer to my dream of playing for India. The last two seasons will definitely help but it’s up to the selectors too. I know that because we’re in the Plate Group in the Ranji Trophy, we need to score more runs than the others. That has been my thinking throughout the season and it helped me finish as second highest scorer. Still, I know there’s a long way to go. Maybe one more good year in Ranji and let’s see how it goes then. It’s all up to God but I do have a vision of playing for India.”
You had a decent Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament too. Where do you think your future IPL chances stand?
“I was actually expecting to at least be in the list for the IPL 2020 auction, but I’ve heard that Plate Group players aren’t really being considered in the auction. I was second highest in Ranji playing against the Elite Group and playing in Mumbai, so it was shocking to see I wasn’t in the list. But I guess I can look at it as motivation, thinking there’s more to work on. I will be improving my strike rates, focussing more on hitting sixes, maybe bigger than what I’ve been hitting and that’s how I’ll approach the next season. I can be there, I should be there, but there’s probably more work to be done on myself.”
What’s your favourite format of the game? Where do you think you’re at your best?
“It’s probably a diplomatic answer but I love all three formats of the game. I just love batting. It doesn’t matter which format, I just love the ball hitting the bat and the feel of scoring runs. Being in those situations and how you tackle them – these are my favourite parts of the game. Not a person who picks any particular formats.”
Talk us through that career best 307*…
“This was my second triple century, the first coming against Jharkhand in 2012-13. This triple against Arunachal Pradesh was played with that same good mindset. I just wanted to get my team in a good position to win. In the Mizoram team, I’m one of the senior players and I need to bat till the end. That was my game plan that day, to get the team in a better position. Before that, we weren’t winning many games, so there was the hunger to win that day. I never felt I wanted to score a triple century, but was more focussed on the team. We were 8-down and two bowlers of the team helped me move closer to the landmark. I think when I was on around 220* when I thought I could get my second career 300. I was nervous but like I said, it felt it was all God who batted through me. It was a smooth ride because the field was open. There weren’t many boundaries which were given to me, mostly gaps and doubles. It was a tough one, tougher than the first one.”
First Class is a tough challenge for a cricketer, and you seem to be acing it right now. Any advice for upcoming cricketers in the country?
“When you’re 17-18, your technique is usually set, you know this kind of style is yours, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. It’s more about getting into different situations and facing different bowlers. That’s the message I want to give to young cricketers. Don’t get too much into technique when you’re young. This is the time to work on situations and how you adapt and react to each one. I got too much into technique after the U-19 World Cup and it’s one thing I regret and something I quickly changed back when I realized it wasn’t helping me. When you’re set with your technique, don’t make too many changes. Just play more matches.”
218 runs, 3 fifties in the 2008 U-19 WC. Where do you think the difference lies in the careers of Virat and Taruwar?
“I remember what Rahul Dravid said when we came back from the U-19 World Cup. He said ‘the winning moment is a platform for all of you, but what really matters from here on is who has the hunger to wear the Indian cap’. I think the main difference between the both of us has been that hunger. He had more hunger and belief to play for India. Even now, there’s always so much hunger in him to win games for India. We’re quite similar though he’s on a different level now, performing at the biggest stage. With me too, I’ve had more hunger to score runs wherever I play in the last couple of years.”
Rapid fire with Taruwar 🔥
- Top order batsman?! What about all these 5-fers with the ball? “Haha. I’ve actually always been a medium pacer, but never took my bowling seriously. In Holland recently, I made a habit of bowling more and in Delhi for ONGC, I bowled a lot too. Now, I’m much more confident with the ball and I’ve got three 5-fers in Ranji and one in List A too.”
- Favourite cricketers? “U-19 – Virat Kohli. The way he’s transformed himself, he’s a favourite to all budding cricketers. Mizoram – Bobby Zothansanga. He took his first 5-fer this season, and he’s become a quality off-spinner. Indian – Shubman Gill. With more chances, he’ll be favourite of many others too. International – AB de Villiers. My all-time favourite. I love him and miss seeing him bat.”
- Favourite cricketing venue? “My local stadium, Baltan Park. I’ve grown up there and scored a lot of runs there.”
- Ultimate cricketing goal? “To be the best I can and live up to the potential God has given me.”
- Future cricketer to watch out for? “Hruaizela – local Mizoram batsman.”
- Favourite moment of your career? “Surely, scoring my second triple century. Also, getting Mizoram’s first ever Ranji victory. It was a historic moment, getting a hundred and a 6-wicket haul in that game too. Obviously, winning the U-19 World Cup for India is a favourite as well.”
- Favourite hobby? “Playing FIFA 🎮 “
- One thing about Taruwar Kohli that no one knows? “That I’m a vegan.”
- If not a cricketer, then what? “Footballer. Or a professional FIFA player.”
- What have you been up to since the COVID-19 lockdown? “Been playing a lot of FIFA, training a lot, spending plenty of family time, playing cards and other games with my parents and wife. I’d like to tell everyone to stay safe and stay home. Do it not just for yourself but for the people around you as well. Thanks!”
A dozen years after shining at the junior level, Taruwar is now putting in the big strides at the senior level. On behalf of the entire team at Read Scoops, I thank him for the time he spared to do this interview and hope he continues this brilliant run of form. One day, we might even see him re-uniting with Virat for Team India!
– Dwayne Fernandes, Read Scoops
(Twitter – @dwayneeeboy, Instagram – @dwayneeeboy)
